ZAPOPAN, Jalisco, Feb. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grupo Salinas (www.gruposalinas.com), a group of dynamic, fast-growing and technologically advanced companies, deeply committed to the modernization of the countries where they operate and founded by entrepreneur Ricardo Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), announces the successful inaugural concert of the Esperanza Azteca Zapopan Youth Orchestra and Choir held last week with the participation of youth from different municipalities of Jalisco. The event was performed at the University of Guadalajara Performing Arts Complex to an audience of hundreds of people.

The debut concert was presided by Ricardo Salinas, his wife María Laura Medina de Salinas; Zapopan Mayor Pablo Lemus Navarro, his wife and President of the National System for Integral Family Development of Zapopan Maye Villa de Lemus; Fundación Azteca Executive President Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, University of Guadalajara Foundation President Raúl Padilla López; Diana Malacara, Director of Volunteering in Zapopan; as well as parents and other important personalities.

Ricardo Salinas noted the importance of the orchestra for the community of Zapopan as well as the recently inaugurated concert hall: I dont think there is another place in Mexico like this to listen to the 86th orchestra of the Esperanza Azteca System."

Mr. Salinas also urged expansion beyond the current 86 orchestras to: "800 and then 500,000. It is a much greater ambition that we should have. It doesnt cost so much, but it is often beyond what a foundation and a group of private people can do. It's good that through the support of the municipality and the university, more orchestras can be created. I'm sure the benefit for our kids will be enormous."

Zapopan Mayor Lemus Navarro recognized the dedication of Ricardo Salinas and his wife to consolidate this orchestra and showed his joy to present the effort of so many children: "today we show that together we are working on recuperating social fabric but above all bringing our children and young people to culture, bringing them closer to a discipline that will undoubtedly change their lives, not only for them but also for their entire families.

The Esperanza Azteca Zapopan Youth Orchestra and Choir, made up of youth from the municipalities of Zapopan, Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque and Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, performed a wonderful symphonic and choral program, under the direction of Maestro Brenda Paoli Franco Chico, which included works by renowned composers such as Carl Orff, Aaron Copland, Richard Meyer, Samuel Zyman, Rubén Fuentes, Bruno Coulais and Handel.

The group is composed of 187 performers: 115 in the orchestra and 72 in the choir, ages 7 through 17. Participants practice Monday through Friday under the tutelage of 16 teachers and the direction of Maestro Brenda Paoli Franco Chico.

The orchestra has been promoted since its inception by the Municipal Presidency of Zapopan, the Mexican Congress, the Ministry of Culture, Totalplay, and Fundación Azteca of Grupo Salinas through a trust to provide opportunities and development to new generations. Beyond training musicians, the goal is to foment better citizens through music. Together with their peers, director, teachers and staff, participants create a family of values, harmony, social and cultural wealth.

The Esperanza Azteca Zapopan Youth Orchestra and Choir is part of the network of 86 youth orchestras and choirs in Mexico promoted by Ricardo Salinas, providing to more than 17,000 children a culture of excellence, teamwork and self-esteem, through the teaching and practice of music.

About Grupo Salinas

Grupo Salinas (www.gruposalinas.com) is a group of dynamic, fast growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating: economic value through market innovation and goods and services that improve standards of living; social value, to create social capabilities to improve the communities conditions; and environmental value, by reducing the negative impact related to its business activities. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies. These companies include: TV Azteca (www.TVazteca.com; www.irtvazteca.com), Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx), Banco Azteca (www.bancoazteca.com.mx), Advance America (www.advanceamerica.net), Afore Azteca (www.aforeazteca.com.mx), Seguros Azteca (www.segurosazteca.com.mx), Punto Casa de Bolsa (www.puntocasadebolsa.mx), Totalplay (www.totalplay.com.mx) and Totalplay Empresarial (totalplayempresarial.com.mx). TV Azteca and Grupo Elektra trade shares on the Mexican Stock Market and in Spains' Latibex market. Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. The group of companies shares a common vision, values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and world-class performance. The group companies operate in Mexico, the US, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama and Peru.